Attendance

Bitterne Manor School seeks to ensure that all its pupils receive a full-time education which maximises opportunities for each pupil to realise his/her true potential.

The School will strive to provide a welcoming, caring environment, whereby each member of the school community feels wanted and secure.

All school staff will work with pupils and their families to ensure each pupil attends school regularly and punctually.

The school will establish an effective system of incentives and rewards which acknowledges the efforts of pupils to improve their attendance and timekeeping and will challenge the behaviour of those pupils and parents who give low priority to attendance and punctuality.

To meet these objectives Bitterne Manor School will establish an effective and efficient system of communication with pupils, parents and appropriate agencies to provide mutual information, advice and support.

Please look below for more details related to our attendance policy.

Sam = School Attendance Matters

Good attendance is linked to higher achievement. Poor attendance can be a cause of underachievement. As parents, you have a legal responsibility to ensure your child’s attendance at school. There is no entitlement to leave of absence in term time for holidays and so holidays should be taken during the school holiday period. Our school does not authorise leave of absence for family holidays during term time. If you are planning to take leave of absence during the school term please complete a request form which is available on our website and from the office.

Important Dates

The first few weeks of the school year are very important for learning routines, establishing relationships and expectations and building friendships. Because of this, you may receive a penalty notice if you take leave of absence for a family holiday in the month of September.

You may receive a penalty notice if you take leave of absence for a family holiday involving a child in Years 1 or 2 during part of the summer term ( Usually April – June )

End of Key Stage 2 Tests

You may receive a penalty notice if you take leave of absence for a family holiday involving a child in Year 6 between February half term and the End of Key Stage 2 Tests ( between February and May ).

Siblings with attendance causing concern

Each school checks the attendance of siblings with our partner schools and if one member of the family has attendance causing concern, you may receive a penalty notice if you take leave of absence for a family holiday.

5 days of absence…

If your child has five days of absence during the year for a family holiday and takes no other time off for illness or other reasons, their attendance over the school year will be 97.4%. If your child’s attendance over the 12 months preceding this absence is less that the school’s target of 96.7 % or the absence is for 5 days or more or any of the conditions overleaf apply, the local authority may issue a penalty notice.